Practical guide for the asylum application full registration

USEFUL ADVICE REGARDING THE ASYLUM REGISTRATION INTERVIEW

The registration interview of your asylum application is very important since it constitutes your formal registration for your protection in Greece. The procedures for family reunion and/or for relocation into another European country start at the same time for those of you who have requested so.

After the registration interview you will be given a new identity card which will look similar with the previous one but will not be the same. You must carry it on with you at all times and show it to the authorities whenever asked to do so. It includes your case number which you will need in order to ask for information regarding the progress of your application from the asylum service, to submit documents or applications etc.

The same case number is given for all the members of families with young children. Adult children and parents are usually given a different number and a different interview date. If this is the case, it is necessary that you inform the interviewer, and mention the case number of your other family members asking them to take it into account when issuing the decision (for example it may be useful when deciding the relocation country so that the family will not be split). It would be helpful if you had with you a copy or a photograph of your relatives’ identity card to present it.

In the interview you must present yourself in person. You may choose to be accompanied by a lawyer or/and a social worker, doctor or/and a psychologist, who will be able to help you. Don’t hesitate to call a lawyer and ask for advice for matters regarding your asylum application. Lawyers are aware of the legislation and practice regarding refuge and asylum matters and will be able to offer you personalized advice.

During the interview you have the right to ask for further explanations concerning the procedure and your rights. If you do not understand something, ask for clarifications.

An interpreter who will translate everything said will also take part in the interview. It is important for you to understand and comprehend everything that the interpreter says. You have the right to ask for the interpreter to be replaced in case your communication is problematic, or if you speak different language or dialect.Also, you can ask for a female interpreter if you want. You can ask for another interpreter at any time, in the beginning or in the middle of the interview, to ensure excellent communication. Remember that the interview is carried out by the asylum service clerk present and not by the interpreter, so all the questions/answers/clarifications should be addressed to the clerk. The interpreter just translates and he/she does not have the right to answer a question or express his/her opinion on any matter

Ask for a break if you do not feel well or if you are tired, you can continue later.

You should give clear answers. Ask for the question to be repeated if you are not sure that you have understood it.

You should be prepared to be asked about important dates and events of your life. For example, when did you live from your country of origin, how and with whom? When and where were you born? How old are your children? When were you married? If you are having trouble remembering the exact date, mention the year or try to define it in another way (for example my child was born short after we had left our village. We left our village in November 2015).

It’s important to remember when you came to Greece. If you have the police document the date of entry will surely be mentioned.

If your personal details (name, surname, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship) are wrong in your document, ask for them to be corrected. Explain the mistake, for example the interpreter may have pronounced some words differently, they may have registered the child under the surname of the mother when it should have been registered under the father’s surname etc.

You have the right to ask and receive a copy of the interview, which is a written form of everything that has been said during the interview. It is important for you to have a record because that way you can recall at any time what has been said exactly, since the interview will not be repeated. This record may also be helpful for your lawyer in case he/she needs it. Please keep in mind that the decision will be delayed and it is likely that you will forget what exactly has been said during the interview.

If you have any kind of a link to an EU country where you would like to relocate, it is advised that you mention it to the interviewer because he/she may be able to help you. For example:

- if you speak the language of a country or

- if you have lived in an EU country in the past or

- if you have relatives or friends in another country or

- if you have documents which prove that a country has accepted you

You should mention all the above ON THE CONDITION that you want to move to this country.

If you have relatives in another country of the EU with whom you want to reunite, you must state it so in the interview. Explain the relationship that you have with them and give as much information as possible, specifically where they live, if they have residence permits, how many years they have lived there, if they are refugees, how old they are etc.

Only if you DO NOT WISH TO BE REUNITED with a relative living in another country of the EU you must declare it to ensure that a process of family reunion will not be initiated.

If you have documents which prove your relationship (for example passports, certificates) as well as the residence permits/residence cards of your relatives in another EU country, you should have them with you in order to show them.

We do not know exactly how long the decision regarding your relocation to another EU country will take. If you live in a camp, ask from our lawyers to contact the asylum service to ask for further information.

If the decision made for your case includes relocation to a country that you do not wish to go, you can ask for some time to think about it. Also, you have the right to appeal against the decision regarding your transfer to a country if your rights are violated. In this case, consult a lawyer.

You also have, under conditions, the right to appeal against the decision regarding your transfer to another country for family reunion. In this case too, consult a lawyer.

If you or another member of your family has a health problem, state it in the interview. If you have documents by a doctor or a hospital you should show them.

You can ask for more time to submit important documents after the interview, for example documents of relatives who reside in another EU country, medical documents etc. In case you are not given more time, try to find the documents as soon as possible in order to submit them to the asylum service. You can ask for assistance by a lawyer. In any case you can send the documents via e-mail to the address that you will be given by the employee who carries out the interview.

You have the right to ask for housing and board as well as access to civil services. Request it in the interview. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in cooperation with other organizations offers housing in apartments and/or hotels or other types of accommodation. If you have a health problem or you are vulnerable (for example due to pregnancy, or if you have just given birth, or any disabilities) state it so that they can take it into account when they search for an appropriate accommodation for you.

This page contains general instructions. In order to receive a better handling of your cases you should seek for further information and personal advice by a lawye6r.